Free Software Tools For Autocad And Civil Engineering Professionals

Feb. 28, 2026, 1:32 p.m.

Tags: dotsoft

Introduction

The provided source material details a specific category of free offerings available to U.S.-based professionals in the fields of computer-aided design (CAD) and civil engineering. The information focuses on software utilities, primarily add-ons for AutoCAD, offered by the company DotSoft, which has been acquired by Carlson Software. Unlike typical consumer free samples for beauty, baby care, or household goods, these resources are professional-grade tools designed to enhance productivity for surveyors, engineers, and CAD operators. The documentation outlines the availability of free software, the technical requirements for use, and the company's commitment to ongoing support and development following the acquisition. It also references a separate, general-purpose freebie website that aggregates consumer offers, but the core technical details are centered on the DotSoft software suite.

Overview of DotSoft and Carlson Software

DotSoft is a developer of add-ons for AutoCAD, based in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, in the United States. The company’s main product is ToolPac, a comprehensive collection of productivity tools containing over 750 functions designed to save time for CAD professionals. The company’s history includes selling its first software product in 1988 and, over thirty years, increasing the productivity of thousands of CAD operators.

Recently, Carlson Software announced the purchase of all assets of DotSoft. Terry Dotson, the author of all DotSoft products, was a self-taught programming expert who developed hundreds of utility programs for surveyors, engineers, mapping technicians, and CAD operators. He had worked directly for Carlson for over a decade before returning to private business. Following Terry Dotson's recent passing, the Dotson family and Carlson Software concluded a purchase agreement. Carlson Software has pledged to carry forward Terry's work by remaining responsive to DotSoft customers, providing technical support service, and improving the software itself.

Free Software Offerings and Compatibility

DotSoft provides a selection of free tools, primarily as add-ons for AutoCAD. These tools are listed under an "Unsupported Free Stuff" section. It is important to note the disclaimer provided: DotSoft and Carlson Software disclaim any and all liability for damages arising from the use of these materials, and all materials are provided "as-is" at the user's own risk. Users are instructed not to redistribute the works and are instead asked to share a link. DotSoft does not provide technical support for these freeware tools.

The free tools are compatible with multiple platforms. Most work with full AutoCAD 2007 or later (excluding LT versions) and BricsCAD Pro v12 or later on Windows. Many tools are also compatible with IntelliCAD-based products. For newer versions of AutoCAD, icons on the Autodesk App Store provide an easy installer. For older AutoCAD versions and for BricsCAD or IntelliCAD, users are directed to use the ZIP download option.

Specific Free Tool: AutoWblock

One specific free tool listed is "AutoWblock.zip." This tool automates the process of exporting multiple blocks or layers (model space contents) from a drawing to separate files in a designated target folder. The compatibility for this tool is listed as follows: - AutoCAD (NO LT): Yes - BricsCAD Pro+: Yes - IntelliCAD: Yes

Other Product Offerings and Requirements

Beyond the free tools, DotSoft offers a range of commercial and potentially trial software products. The company has set up a weblog (blog) for users to keep up with news, including minor revisions, new tools, and productivity tips.

Several tools interact with Microsoft Office and OpenDesign Compatibles. The documentation outlines requirements for different applications: - An application running inside AutoCAD and BricsCAD is designed to produce the most accurate linked representation of a spreadsheet possible. The Professional version includes additional tools for data transfer to and from Excel. - Another application running inside AutoCAD and BricsCAD is designed to produce accurate representations of Word documents. Results can optionally remain linked to allow automatic updates when a drawing is opened. - An add-in running inside Microsoft Excel produces accurate DWG representations of spreadsheets directly.

Carlson Software has announced that it is inviting interested persons to participate in the DotSoft 2026 feedback effort. Currently, the following products are available primarily for AutoCAD and Civil3D 2026 compatibility testing: Carlson Software has several products available for this purpose, though specific names are not listed in the provided text. The company notes that all products are fully 64-bit compatible and free of legacy 32-bit Windows dependencies. No files are written to system folders; all components reside entirely within the application directory. With proper licensing, the software can even be copied between machines, making deployment flexible and reliable.

The company has also confirmed that VBA would be discontinued in future AutoCAD releases. As a result, their current products contain absolutely no AutoCAD VBA code, ensuring long-term compatibility and stability.

External Context: Free Stuff World

The source material also includes information about a website called "Free Stuff World." This site is described as a free resource that compiles free samples, free-to-enter competitions, and paid survey offers for American citizens. The process involves choosing an offer, clicking a "Claim Now" button, and following instructions on the site.

It is noted that Free Stuff World includes affiliate links on its website. Some of the listed freebies and offers use these links, which allow the site to earn a commission if a user clicks and completes a qualifying action. When a user clicks an affiliate link, a cookie may be stored on their device to track the interaction with the offer.

This site appears to be a general-purpose aggregator for consumer freebies across multiple categories, distinct from the specialized professional software tools offered by DotSoft.

Conclusion

The provided source material offers a focused look at free software tools for the CAD and civil engineering professional community, specifically through the legacy of DotSoft and its new stewardship under Carlson Software. The available free tools, such as AutoWblock, are offered with clear compatibility guidelines and a disclaimer of support. Carlson Software is actively engaging with the user base for future compatibility testing and has committed to supporting and improving the software. For general consumer free samples, the source references a third-party aggregator site, Free Stuff World, which operates using an affiliate model. The information is limited to the specific software tools and the external freebie website, with no data provided on free samples in categories like beauty, baby care, pet food, health, food & beverage, or household goods.